Years before the establishment of the Kalamazoo Public Library, another organization loaned books to residents for a membership fee of just $1.00, and contrary to its name, it loaned to men as well as women. For this and many other reasons the Ladies Library Association in Kalamazoo holds an important place in the history of our community and of women’s clubs in general. On November 12th KPL hosted a program highlighting the group’s history and its amazing landmark building as part of the “This Old Building” series. Dr. Sharon Carlson, director of the archives at Western Michigan University, engaged a fascinated audience with little known facts about the Ladies Library and a slide show which included many wonderful historic photos.

On February 4th the “This Old Building” series will continue with another local landmark, the Kalamazoo State Hospital Water Tower, to be presented by Kalamazoo’s historic preservation coordinator, Sharon Ferraro.